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The Great War (1914-1918) Forum

Remembered Today:

The French Army Thread


Tomb1302

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goo evening,

 

if you wish, I have on sale on the forum a batch of 2 out-of-series magazines that takes up the evolution of the uniform and equipment of the French soldier.
 

regards

 

michel

 

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51 minutes ago, battle of loos said:

if you wish, I have on sale on the forum a batch of 2 out-of-series magazines that takes up the evolution of the uniform and equipment of the French soldier.

@battle of loos

 

Could you provide me a link?

 

Thank you.

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41 minutes ago, Tomb1302 said:

@battle of loos

 

Could you provide me a link?

 

Thank you.

 

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15 hours ago, Jools mckenna said:

 

Thank you Jools.

 

I'll look into it!

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A neat comparison of the evolution of gear as the war progressed. Any thoughts? The man on the left is Auguste Chartier.

 

 

Screen Shot 2019-10-10 at 4.40.23 PM.pngScreen Shot 2019-10-10 at 4.41.09 PM.png

Edited by Tomb1302
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when did they go to the steel helmet, not too much of a change although the uniform and equipment appear to be of better quality

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5 minutes ago, robins2 said:

when did they go to the steel helmet, 

They started to wear the M15 Adrain in about July 1915 but was fully adopted/issued in late 1915.

Edited by Jools mckenna
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2 minutes ago, Jools mckenna said:

They started to wear the M15 Adrain in about July 1915 but was fully adopted in late 1915.

thank you

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7 minutes ago, robins2 said:

when did they go to the steel helmet, not too much of a change although the uniform and equipment appear to be of better quality

The steel helmet is the Adrian M15 (model from 1915). It was really distributed in late 1915 and truly recognized from 1916 - 1926. Good question!

 

I'll also add that the uniforms are drastically different as well as the man on the right is wearing the Horizon Blue uniform, whereas Chartier is wearing the early war red and blue.

Edited by Tomb1302
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Man on the right has 'smooth bulging buttons" so that suggests post 1920 according to michel?

 

I'm still hoping someone will tell me the significance of the black spot under the number on the collar.

 

Charlie

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1 minute ago, charlie962 said:

Man on the right has 'smooth bulging buttons" so that suggests post 1920 according to michel?

 

I'm still hoping someone will tell me the significance of the black spot under the number on the collar.

 

Charlie

Charlie, I was told the reflection of the light could affect the accuracy in dating according to buttons, a claim I think is fair.

 

Additionally, the black spot under the regimental number is simply the 'flaming grenade' symbol for Infanterie - Just difficult to make out in this picture.

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My example of the M15. 

 

You can see the original 1915 issue paint peaking through the later war darker blue paint. Also a chasseur's example.

 

I think the gold colour was a primer, to make the original light blue sparkle. 

 

thumbnail_00100dPORTRAIT_00100_BURST20190818163514324_COVER.jpg

Edited by Jools mckenna
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The M15 next to the M16. 

ul6zqBR.jpg

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I wonder what insight @battle of loos would share in regards to the buttons.

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good morning,

 

the black spot under the regimental number (at the collar) is a small circle of colored fabrics that varies according to the Battalion.

used from 1917.

 

if it is a small flaming grenade, it would mean that it is legionnaires.
but here because the uniform of the legion is brown identical to that of 1940 generalized to the whole French army.

 

here is an example from the two books I propose for sale :

 

DSC_0022.JPG.e8ff938e4a9d2230bbd646b5de837c23.JPG

 

regards

 

michel

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4 hours ago, battle of loos said:

good morning,

 

the black spot under the regimental number (at the collar) is a small circle of colored fabrics that varies according to the Battalion.

used from 1917.

 

if it is a small flaming grenade, it would mean that it is legionnaires.
but here because the uniform of the legion is brown identical to that of 1940 generalized to the whole French army.

 

here is an example from the two books I propose for sale :

 

DSC_0022.JPG.e8ff938e4a9d2230bbd646b5de837c23.JPG

 

regards

 

michel

@battle of loos, could you date the soldier with the Adrian I showed by amy chance?

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13 hours ago, Jools mckenna said:

My example of the M15. 

 

You can see the original 1915 issue paint peaking through the later war darker blue paint. Also a chasseur's example.

 

I think the gold colour was a primer, to make the original light blue sparkle. 

 

thumbnail_00100dPORTRAIT_00100_BURST20190818163514324_COVER.jpg

 

Were French soldiers instructed to wear the canvas anti flash covering that was so often used by British soldiers ?

 

If so, what colour ?

 

Phil

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4 minutes ago, phil andrade said:

Were French soldiers instructed to wear the canvas anti flash covering that was so often used by British soldiers ? If so, what colour ?

 

Originals and reproductions available on Ebay etc would say light khaki canvas covers were available, eg:

 

http://eshop.mjlmilitaria.com/WW1-French-Infantry-Adrian-Helmet-with-Original-Field-Cover-DH1

Image result for french ww1 helmet cover

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good morning,

 

your photo was taken after 1921.
another detail that confirms this, the wearing of the "bonnet de police du commerce" mle 1918.

the ammunition pouch are empty and no gas mask

this photo shows a group of young recruits in training.
they are framed by 3 'corporaux' and 1 '1ère classe'.

 

regards

 

michl

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1 hour ago, battle of loos said:

good morning,

 

your photo was taken after 1921.
another detail that confirms this, the wearing of the "bonnet de police du commerce" mle 1918.

the ammunition pouch are empty and no gas mask

this photo shows a group of young recruits in training.
they are framed by 3 'corporaux' and 1 '1ère classe'.

 

regards

 

michl

Surely this picture isn't again postwar?

Edited by Tomb1302
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Reading over again @battle of loos, which picture are you saying is post 1921?

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1 hour ago, battle of loos said:

 this picture :

 

540846350_ScreenShot2019-09-22at2_26_55PM.png.be00aad32a5e0f1d53fc68743bad03c0.png.94fa3a9f66bbccb099f3ed285da8575d.png

 

michel

OH I see! We were confused then. I was referring to the shot of the single soldier wearing an Adrian.

 

Is there any chance you could date that one for me?

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